North Carolina State University Athletics
Haynes: Pack Hopes for Red-Letter Day Versus UNC
1/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
TONY HAYNES
As it turned out, however, the jacket became the show.
“I didn’t know that it meant that much to our fan base,” Lowe said with a chuckle. “I knew I had to do something special and wear a red jacket. Coach [Valvano] had one and Coach Sloan had the plaid, so I had to do something. I didn’t know I’d get the response that I did when I wore it. That’s just our fans; they love the red and white and love to see me in it, so I try to wear it as much as I can.”
Since his first season, Lowe has added to his collection of red jackets. Two are already in the closet and “another one is on the way,” he said.
Needless to say, the red jacket in all its sartorial splendor will be back on Saturday afternoon when NC State (11-7, 2-4) hosts 6th ranked
Both teams are coming off of dramatic, if not breathtaking ACC victories.
The Wolfpack got a 3-point shot from freshman point guard Julius Mays with just 2.6 seconds left in overtime to beat Miami on Tuesday, 84-81. The next night,
The stage is now set for the 214th meeting between the Heels and Pack.
As Lowe figured out a few years ago, the red jacket is more than just a garment. He might as well wear a big sign over his torso that says “I don’t like losing to these guys.”
And it clearly bothers him that NC State has dropped four straight games to the Tar Heels since it posted that emotional victory two years ago.
“You can’t hide that; it is what it is,” Lowe said. “I think the feeling is the same on the other side. If we were beating them it would bother them, too. Having played here and going through some of those wars and knowing the feeling of winning those games and then turning around and losing some of them, it frustrates me.”
Despite giving up a 19-point second half lead against the Hurricanes on Tuesday, NC State probably played its best game of the year. Complimenting the scoring of Brandon Costner (21 points) and Ben McCauley (12), senior swingman Courtney Fells gave the Pack such much-needed punch from the perimeter, tallying a career-high 24 points.
Prior to Tuesday’s contest, Fells had averaged just over eight points in five previous conference games this year.
“I definitely see the team progressing and getting better,” Lowe said. “Now we’re trying to get over the hump and win some of those close ballgames, which we did the other night. I’ve seen some progression with our team and some maturity, but not quite where we need it to be. We’re putting ourselves in the position to win, which is the difference from last year to this year. Last year we didn’t put ourselves in the position to win. Hopefully, we can build on wins like the
Lowe’s experimentation with a big line-up that features Costner, McCauley and Tracy Smith together on the frontline has paid some dividends the last two games. Although he wouldn’t project a starting line-up for Saturday’s game, Lowe did hint on Thursday that he’d likely use that combination again.
With 14 assists compared to only four turnovers the last two games, Farnold Degand has provided the steady play at point guard Lowe has been waiting for all season. Degand also chipped in with seven points in each of the games against
“I think Farnold has just been more under control and not trying to force the issue,” said Lowe. “I think he also saw the positive feedback he was receiving after getting the seven assists and two turnovers the first time (against
Thought by some to be unbeatable before the season,
With Lawson leading the break, the Tar Heels get the ball up the floor faster than any team in college basketball, even after made baskets.
“They take a made basket as an insult because they want to get the ball inbounds and score as soon as possible,” McCauley said. “You’re going to make baskets, a dunk or whatever, but you’ve got get back and play D.’ They can score in bunches.”
Said Lowe: “If you score on them they want to get it right back at you and get a layup if they can. When that happens, it really takes the wind out of you. You just scored and then they come down and get an easy basket. Sixty or 70 percent of their offense is transition. They just happen to have one of the best point guards in the country who creates for himself and his teammates. He’s always applying pressure on you.”
At
Hansbrough is averaging 21.8 points and 7.8 points per game to lead the Heels. Lawson is putting up averages of 15 points and 6.5 assists per contest. All five
For his last home game against the Tar Heels, McCauley would like to recreate the scene of two years ago when his fellow students rushed the floor to celebrate a cherished win over the Wolfpack’s most ardent rival.
“There’s nothing better than that,” McCauley said. “The history of this rivalry is so great and to come out with a victory is something you remember forever. Hopefully we can come out and do that again.”
